Join us at Three Rivers Community College for the 5th Annual Men Against Domestic Violence Artistic Expression (MADVAE) on Wednesday, October 24, from 6:00-7:30 pm in The Gallery at Three Rivers. Held annually in October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the event consists of music, poetry readings and performances, and a live artist painting.

Featured artists and performers will include visual artist Pierre Sylvain from Middletown, CT; poet Summer Tate from Hartfod, CT; poet Shilo Kuirakose from Hartford, CT; artist and self-love advocate Kimolee Eryn from Hartford, CT; and spoken word artist Jamaal St. John of West Orange, NJ. Jeff Nixon, a professor and retired Groton Town Police officer, will also be speaking on his 20 years of on-the-job experience with domestic violence. Maria Krug, the Three Rivers Title IX officer, and a representative from Safe Futures will also be present.

This year, MADVAE will be held in honor of William “Bill” Wernau for his tireless contributions to preventing domestic violence. Bill Wernau, who passed away this January, spent the last years of his life with his wife Anne mentoring and teaching women and children to bring safety to their lives and relationships. He joined her in teaching classes at York Correctional Institution in Niantic and volunteering at Safe Futures in New London. Anne will be receiving a plaque in honor of his efforts, and Safe Futures has dedicated a bench to him outside their location.

This event is free, open to the public, and held in The Gallery at Three Rivers. MADVAE is sponsored by the Three Rivers Community College Community Involvement Committee. For further information, please contact Frederick-Douglass Knowles at 860-215-9444.

Three Rivers Community College strives to provide a safe and healthy environment for students, staff, and faculty. Sexual misconduct of any kind is not tolerated. If you or someone you know experiences any form of sexual misconduct, the College can provide assistance. For more information about Title IX and/or sexual misconduct, contact Maria Krug, Title IX Coordinator, Three Rivers Community College, 574 New London Turnpike Norwich, CT 06360, (860) 215-9208, MKrug@trcc.commnet.edu.